Iodine-induced lactonization of alpha-phenylsulfonyl-gamma,delta-unsaturated amides provided 2-4-trans-substitued gamma-butyrolactones in high selectivity. NBS-or NCS-induced lactonization of N,N-dimethyl-2-(phenylsulfonyl)-4-pentenamide in DME-H2O(2:1 vol) gave 2-halo-4-(halomethyl)-2-(phenylsulfonyl)-gamma-butyrolactone.